Holiday Swim and Survive at Armadale Aquatic

As we work to ensure all Western Australian children have an opportunity to learn to Swim and Survive, Royal Life Saving Society WA is excited to have completed its first Swim and Survive Access and Equity program at the Armadale Aquatic Centre.

The program, held during the January school holidays, saw 38 children take part in swimming lessons, some for the very first time. Most of the children were from local indigenous families with the remainder coming from a multicultural background, all of whom are at risk of missing out on learning this vital life skill. Statistics show that indigenous children are over-represented in drowning deaths, drowning at a rate two and a half times higher than non-indigenous children in WA.

This program, planned in conjunction with the Armadale Aquatic Centre and Save the Children Armadale’s One Step Closer Program, aims to assist in turning those statistics around. The children received daily hour long swimming lessons at no cost, along with a Swim and Survive pack which includes a bag, towel, swim cap and goggles to ensure they’re all set to start their Swim and Survive journey.

Save the Children’s One Step Closer Program is supported by Royal Life Saving Society WA’s principal community partner BHP Billiton and aims to give Aboriginal children aged 8-14 solid skills like leadership, team work and self-confidence.

Royal Life Saving Society WA hopes to continue to provide Swim and Survive opportunities for children in the Armadale area, and is currently planning a program for term one with participants from Save the Children Armadale.

Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive Access and Equity program is supported by principal community partner BHP Billiton and the Department of Sport and Recreation.